MANILA- The Muntinlupa City Regional Trial Court (RTC), Branch 256 which is hearing the drug charges against former Senator Leila de Lima and co-accused in Criminal Case No. 17-167 (People . De Lima, et al.) denied their motions for bail.
“All the foregoing, notwithstanding, let it be stressed that in finding the evidence of guilt strong, the Court does not in any way prejudge what the final outcome of the case will be. The culpability or innocence of the accused will still be decided on the basis of all the evidence presented by the parties and only after trial on the merits of the case. To repeat, the purpose of the hearing is merely to determine the weight of the evidence for purposes of bail. Thus, all that the present resolution has determined is that based on the evidence thus far adduced by the prosecution, the Court is convinced that there is great probability that the crime charged has been committed and that the accused are the agents thereof. After all, that the evidence of guilt is strong does not equate to a finding of proof of guilt beyond reasonable doubt,” Muntinlupa RIC Branch 256 Presiding Judge Romeo S. Buenaventura wrote in his 35-page Order.
The RTC also said that “the presentation of the prosecution’s evidence-in-chief set on June 19 and 26, 2023, all at 2:00 o’clock in the afternoon shall proceed as scheduled.”
This Order involves a different case from the earlier one pending before another Muntinlupa RTC Branch, where the former senator was acquitted and where witnesses recanted their testimonies. There were no recantations in the present case.
Moreover, as per the Order of the trial court, the denial of bail of de Lima is not the final adjudication of the case. The former senator can also move for her release on bail at any time during the course of trial it she deems that the prosecution evidence being presented is weak.
De Lima and six others are facing charges of violation of Sec., 26(b) in relation to Sec. 5, Sec. 3(ji), Sec. 28 of Republic Act No. 9165, An Act Instituting The Comprehensive Dangerous Drugs Act Of 2002, Repealing Republic Act No. 6425, Otherwise Known As The Dangerous Drugs Act Of 1972, As Amended, Providing Funds Therefor, And For Other Purposes.